Personal Care Services (PCS)

Looking for personal care services in North Texas? Expert, professional, personal Care Services are available communities across North Texas through the Diagnosis, Early and Periodic Screening, and Treatment (EPSDT)-Comprehensive Care Program. In Texas, this is known as the Texas Health Steps-Comprehensive Care Program. Persons that are under 21 years old and those that are eligible for the EPSDT can avail of this program. The Personal Care Services are medically necessary when a beneficiary requires support and supervision with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). Beneficiaries with physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitation due to their disability or chronic health condition also requires this service.

Personal Care Services may include:

  • Activities of Daily Living, such as eating, toileting, grooming, dressing, bathing, transferring, maintaining continence, positioning, mobility, and much more.

  • Instrumental Activities of Daily Living that include, but are not limited to, personal care, meal planning, meal preparation, grocery shopping, light housework, laundry, transportation, and money management.

  • Health-related functions that include, medication management, use of medical equipment, range of motion, routine exercise, skin care, recording and reporting the beneficiary’s condition, and so much more.

  • Nurse-delegated tasks, which include, health maintenance activities, as granted by the Texas Nursing Practice Act and its other implementing regulations; and

  • Hands-on assistance to assist in accomplishing the task, which includes, cuing, redirecting, or intervening.

Prior to authorizing Personal Care Services, HHSC or its designee will require completion of:

  • A thorough evaluation of the beneficiary along with an assessment form approved by the HHSC; and

  • Submission of any documentation that is required by the HHSC.

Within 60 days of the initial start of care, a written statement of need by the beneficiary’s physician that is HHSC-approved must be on file with HHSC or its designee.

The HHSC or its designee will evaluate the request for Personal Care Services ans will determine the amount and duration of Personal Care Services by taking into account the following aspects:

  • If the recipient has a physical, cognitive, or behavioral limitation caused by his/her disability or chronic health condition that prevents the ability to accomplish activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living, and/or related health functions;

  • The beneficiary’s parent/guardian needs to sleep, work, go to school, and meet their own health and medical needs;

  • The beneficiary’s parent/guardian has legal obligation to meet the medical, educational, and psycho-social health requirements of other dependents;

  • The beneficiary’s parent/guardian has the capability to render the Personal Care Services; and

  • Whether or not the need to assist family members in providing Personal Care Services is related to a medical, cognitive, or behavioral condition that may result in a level of functional capability that is below that expected of a normal developing child of the same age.

The HHSC will not promptly deny the approval of Personal Care Services or lower the number of hours requested for the service based entirely on the recipient’s illness, diagnosis, or health condition.

A beneficiary may receive Personal Care Services through the Consumer Directed Services (CDS) option.

The limitations for the Personal Care Services include:
The HHSC will not refund for Personal Care Services that are used for or intended to provide for:

  1. Respite care

  2. Child care

Parents or designated guardians of the beneficiary shall not be replaced as the primary caregiver when Personal Care Services are acquired. This program nor will not provide all the care a client requires in order to remain living at home. The primary care givers remain accountable for a portion of the beneficiary’s daily care needs.

The HHSC or the designee can terminate the authorization for Personal Care Services if:

  • The recipient is no longer qualified for Texas Medicaid;

  • The recipient no longer meets the Personal Care Services’ medical necessity criteria;

  • The place of service(s) can no longer provide the recipient’s health and safety requirements;

  • The care provider requests for termination since the beneficiary will not comply with the service plan; or

  • The authorization for Personal Care Services expires.

A fair hearing can be requested by the beneficiary in the event that services are denied, reduced, suspended, or terminated.

For more details and to see if you qualify, please call 972-240-4700.